FOV Question???

[Heer]

Does anybody know the division and combat location of FOV's KV-1 Heavy tank? It has a tactical number of "720". And finally, is the KV-1 worth purchasing? Thanks.

[krieglok]

I can't help with the historical background but as far as the model quality goes, it is definitely worth buying. In 1/32 scale it is one of the larger tanks in my collection and the detail and working features are very good. Hope this helps a little.

[ketelone]

Great piece. It is so rare for FOV to think outside the box. They did with this one. I regret I have no knowledge about the history.

[tmanthegreat]

Definitely worth getting this tank for the reasons stated above. It is certainly one of FOV's more unique armored vehicles and one of only three prebuilt Russian tanks we have in 1:32 scale (I'm counting the T-72 )

I will note that it does not have quite the quality of some of the older FOV items from the "Golden Age" of FOV vehicles (so don't expect it to be like the T-34 or T-72 with all the weathering and minute details). Features include rolling tracks, rotating turret, elevating 76mm main gun, movable machine guns on the turret & front glacis, and opening commanders hatch. The weathering consists of the simple brown spray. Only the upper hull piece is diecast, but since this is large, it still gives the tank some weight... The log accessories look a bit like "Slim Jims" but are neat nonetheless.

The FOV KV-1 is a nice compliment for some of the early Eastern Front/Operation Barbarossa period tanks we have like the FOV Panzer IVF, short barreled Stug III, 21c Panzer IIID/L, Panzer 38, Panzer IVD, etc.

[krieglok]

A KV-2 version would have made this model a monster! Would love to see that sometime!

[Heer]

Thanks for all your advice. It's a bit pricey, and I'm not a really a allied tank freak. I have 90% of the german vehicles from FOV that I want, which includes most of the tanks, halftracks, kubelwagen, artillery, motorcycle,etc. Basically, I'm undecided.

[ketelone]

Since there are so few offerings of Allied armor, I would purchase it. There have been quite a few topics of past discussion regarding the rarity of Allied armor and soft skin vehicles in general (British, French, Soviet)*. This piece especially is unique. Think about it there are tons of German and American vehicles, not so many Allied vehicles*........ FOV's T34's are great.

[Heer]

I know this is an old thread, but I finally convinced myself to order the KV-1. It should arrive this afternoon with the post.

[Heer]

Found the picture FOV referenced. Looks exactly the same. Very impressed with FOV . Can't wait for the t-34/85.

[ketelone]

You will not be disappointed.

[tmanthegreat]

Nice picture of the KV-1. FOV got it pretty much right: correct shape, commander in the black fatigues, even the logs. The FOV KV-1 model should have received better weathering that was more in-line with the earlier FOV models as well as the tank in the photo.

* * *

The T-34/85 is one of FOV's best tanks, IMHO, and one of my favorite 1:32 scaled armor models. Lots of opening hatches, engine, and little details like hand-holds. I've had my S1 version on display pretty much since I got it back in 2004. You should not be disappointed with the re-release.

[Heer]

Here is my mini-review of the KV-1 80056:
I am opening this vehicle right now. The tank is HUGE. It comes with 2 different shaped logs as separate accessories, 1 dog, 1 small wooden crate, circular barbed wire, 1 tank commander, collector’s card, and an interesting sandbag emplacement. This sandbag emplacement seems to be a new tooling with branches on the bottom with sandbags on top. Very interesting.

The tank is very large, and it should be, since it is a heavy tank. The gun turns 360 but only 1, the commander’s hatch open. There is a tiny MG in the rear of the turret and in the hull. Wheel suspension and detail is excellent. The painting is also very good with the Russian green and white markings for the turret number. Weathering is minimal with a very tiny spray is dust, HOWEVER, this doesn’t really detrack much from the overall look of the tank. I would prefer another brief spray of dust, but that’s it. It can be a good representation of the summer operations of the Russian army where the roads are not yet filled with mud.

In conclusion, I would rate this tank as one of FOV’s best. I don’t think this tank has any tooling errors because it just looks and feel like a Russian tank. This tank is my first allied vehicle in my FOV collection and I now just can’t wait for the 2012 release of the t-34/85.